Teotihuacan:

Egypt has its pyramids, and so does Teotihuacan, at one time the largest city not only in pre-Columbian Mexico but the entire world as well. The pyramids were built between 100 AD and 450 AD, a period when Teotihuacan was emerging as an important religious center in Mesoamerica. Its name means “birthplace of the gods”, a term coined by the Aztecs who found Teotihuacan centuries after its downfall. The most important monuments are the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. This ancient city is so amazing that when i went to visit, there were about 2-3 TV shows filming episodes about the history of the city and what had happened. I don’t remember the name of the shows but i’m pretty sure they both caught my cousins and I running and jumping through from temple to temple as raced to see who finished first. With that being said, we might be part of an episode where the talk about the city of gods. 

 Mérida: Yucatán’s White City

The capital of Yucatán, Mérida is one of Mexico’s finest old colonial cities and is perfectly located to serve as a base from which to explore the region’s many fine Mayan sites, including Chichén Itzá and Tulum. It’s an equally popular day trip or overnight stopover from the resorts of the Mayan Riviera. Established in 1542 by the Spanish, Mérida is laid out on a grid pattern, making it easy to explore its numerous attractive parks and fine old buildings. The European influences are everywhere, particularly in the old city squares and plazas where evidence of French architecture can still be seen. It’s also a remarkably neat and tidy city, something of a badge of honor for its citizens who like to dress in white, giving the city its long-standing nickname of Ciudad Blanca, the “white city.” What I liked the most about this city is that everyone there is so proud of their city, they welcome travelers with open arms. I remember I was given free food and free shirts after I started a long conversation with one of citizens that lived there. I was so surprised the man gave me free food and shirts just for having a good conversation with him. The atmosphere itself was warming and caring, you can really feel how proud the people were to be apart of these historic sites.

Chichén Itzá: The Mayan Metropolis

A popular day trip for those visiting Cancún and Playa del Carmen or the Yucatán capital of Mérida, the magnificent Mayan city of Chichén Itzá is one of Mexico’s most visited archaeological sites, as well as one of the biggest and best restored. Highlights of a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site are numerous, from the massive El Castillo – also known as the Pyramid of Kukulkán, and at 30 meters high, the site’s tallest structure – to the magnificent Caracol, an almost 1,000-year-old observatory that stands testament to just how advanced the Mayans were (the building is notable for the narrow slits in its walls allowing the sun to penetrate twice per year so priests could accurately determine the date). Also of interest are the site’s numerous statues, including many examples of the famous Mayan Chacmools holding their sacrificial vessels as they continue to protect these old temples. 

(some of the pics I took)

Mexico City:

Mexico City (Ciudad de México) is not only the capital of the country and the seat of government, it is one of the country’s most popular alternative travel destinations, thanks to its many world-class museums, art galleries, and attractions. Focus your efforts on the historic city center (Centro Histórico de la Ciudad), a 15-square-kilometer UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting more than 1,400 important colonial buildings from the 16th to the 19th centuries. It’s here, you’ll find most of Mexico City’s major attractions, many within walking distance of Constitution Square (Plaza de la Constitución), the city’s bustling main plaza, including the National Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Templo Mayor with its Aztec relics. Adding to the whole experience are the huge volcanic mountains overlooking the city, Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl, each over 5,000 meters tall and offering a perfect excuse to get out and explore the stunning scenery in this part of the Mexican Highlands. My cousin and I were actually talking about taking the hiking trip to the volcanoes but i got sick and we couldn’t do it. 😦 

(pics of the volcanoes)

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo:

 

While there’s no denying the appeal of Mexico’s larger beach resorts, there’s much to be said for paying a visit to any one of the country’s many smaller vacation destinations. Two of the very best are the town’s of Ixtapa and its neighbor, the much smaller former fishing village of Zihuatanejo on the country’s Pacific coast. Although the larger of the two, the former coconut and mangrove producing town of Ixtapa has been carefully master-planned as a tourist hub to good effect, its streets and beaches uncluttered and easy to get around. The contrast to traditional beach resorts is even greater in beautiful Zihuatanejo, which has worked hard to keep its small town feel. Lying along a small, well-protected bay, it’s a delightful and safe town to explore, home to a number of fine hotels and restaurants. Fun activities include shopping in its fish market or, better still, taking a fishing excursion to catch something of your own. The one thing about resorts is that most of time you will be paying in dollars which is more expensive unless you talk to the owner and tell him you converted all of dollars to pesos and then he’ll give you a deal. I ended up saving myself about $200(Finessed). 

 

My next blog will be on Perú!!